Sacred Word, Broken Word: Biblical Authority and the Dark Side of Scripture

The Bible is a religious masterpiece. Its authors cast a profound vision for the healing of humanity through the power of divine love, grace and forgiveness. But the Bible also contains -dark texts- that challenge our ethical imagination. How can one book teach us to love our enemies and also teach us to slaughter Canaanites? Why does a book that preaches the equality of all people -- male and female, slave and free, Greek and Jew -- also include laws that permit God's people to trade in slaves and to persecute those of a different faiths or ethnicities?
In Sacred Word, Broken Word Kenton Sparks argues that the -dark side- of Scripture is not an illusion. Rather, these dark texts remind us that all human beings, including the biblical authors, stand in need of God's redemptive solution in Jesus Christ.

Author: Kenton L. Sparks
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Published: 04/04/2012
Pages: 180
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.57lbs
Size: 8.90h x 5.90w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9780802867186

Review Citation(s):
Christian Century 10/17/2012 pg. 31
Choice 11/01/2012
Christian Century 05/01/2013 pg. 26

About the Author
Sparks, Kenton L.: - Kenton L. Sparks is professor of biblical studies at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania. His previous books include Ancient Texts for the Study of the Hebrew Bible and God's Word in Human Words.

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